Latest Auchtermuchty & Dunshalt News

Local Big Tent aficionados now have the chance to take advantage of early bird tickets offering a 10% discount by visiting a number of local outlets to get their hands on tickets straight away.

Pete Smith may not have brought an Olympic medal back to north east Fife, but the Collessie curler insists he had a "fantastic" experience at the Winter Games in Canada.

Visitors to a Fife falconry centre are to go where eagles dare thanks to a grant from Scottish Enterprise's tourism innovation fund.

A £1 million project to enhance access to Cupar railway station finally seem to be track.

The Met Office has issued an early warning of drifting and heavy snow from 00.01 Thursday, 25th February to 23.59 Thursday, 25th February, 2010.

The Peat Inn restaurant in north-east Fife has picked up two high-profile awards only a month after securing a Michelin star.

Dundee Heroes The View have been given their first main stage slot at this year’s T in the Park, The Courier can exclusively reveal.

The big chill may return to Tayside and Fife over the next few days as the region braces itself for more Arctic weather.

Rehearsals are well underway for our next drama productions to be performed in the Victoria Hall, Auchtermuchty on Friday 5 and Sat 6 March.

Planned road and street light improvements in Strathmiglo have been welcomed.

Great news...with 4 weeks to go until Letham Nights #11 - The Bevvy Sisters & Kirsty Keatch there are already over 50 tickets sold.

Due to popular demand the Auchtermuchty Community Centre has organised an arts and crafts club for school children from P1-P4.

As part of the Snowdrops Festival, Falkland Centre for Stewardship is hosting two evening concerts with traditional songs and music.

The stage is set for the debut performance by north east Fife's newest amateur theatre group.

The Big Tent eco festival has released early bird tickets with 10 per cent off for advance bookings for this year's event, which takes place from 23-15 July.

Residents in East Fife are invited to come along to a series of drop-in events to find out more about the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan in their local area.

Read the latest news from the Eden Estuary nature reserve.

Auchtermuchty Parish Church: Feb 10 Newsletter is available to download.

The centre is pleased to confirm that Celia will be re-starting her second keep fit class on Tuesday 9 Feb from 8pm – 9pm.

Auchtermuchty fire station has made an emergency call to people in the village.

Can you spare a couple of hours tomorrow (Saturday) to come up to Muchty common to help clear plants?

Firstly, if you didn't already know, the wonderful Bevvy Sisters are coming to Letham Nights on 13th March..

Monday marked the opening day of the Scottish Snowdrop Festival, which celebrates the fragile flower.

Smart Community Fife are interested in hearing from any employers or organisations seeking staff or volunteers for jobs in central Fife.

The Fife Jazz Festival 2010 takes place from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 Feb in various venues around Fife including Strathmiglo and Freuchie.

A North Fife charity is celebrating the receipt of a grant of almost £10,000 to help the area's native woodlands return to their former glory.

You are invited to visit artists, designers and makers in their studios in the North of Fife over the weekend 2nd, 3rd & 4th May 2009.

Four short courses covering nine breads, 10am till 2pm each Wednesday & Thursday from January to April 2010. Lunch and refreshments included.

An Auchtermuchty woman who complained about the slippery access and paths at a group of sheltered houses for the elderly had her fears confirmed at the weekend.

Residents of Auchtermuchty have expressed fury after seeing council workers cutting back trees only yards from a sheltered housing complex where the access and paths are lethal sheets of ice.

Classes in drawing and painting have resumed in Falkland Village Hall.

RSPB Vane Farm nature reserve, loch leven, has been awarded the highest possible accolade by the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

Calling community groups, social enterprises, small businesses, voluntary organisations and public sector bodies! Fife Council has 2 new 'pots' of funding available to celebrate Fife culture in 2010. Read on to see if your organisation or event is applicable...

Discover St Andrews Botanic Garden in winter.

The Auchtermuchty Theatre Group's 30th Pantomime, Cinderella, went down as storm and delighted audience members of all ages from across the Howe. Read the review here.

Severe weather advisory for Monday 11 - Wednesday 13 January:

The ingredients of what makes a good Letham Night are hard to define but on 28th November, we got it right once again.

Local people are being warned to brace themselves for yet more extreme weather.

An exhibition of nature photographs has been opened at the RSPB Vane Farm Nature Reserve, Loch Leven.

Freezing conditions are making life difficult for many of the species on the loch, but despite the odds some are thriving. Download the Jan 10 newsletter

Please see the latest Severe Weather Advisory from the Met Office.

Win a free lunch for 2 at the Lomond Hills Hotel in Freuchie!

Here are a few winter 09/10 images that have been sent in by locals. Please send your contrinutions to jill@smartcommunityfife.org.uk

Happy New Year Everyone! All the best from Letham Nights for 2010 and thank you for your support over the last year.

Fife Council, along with many other councils in Scotland, has been left with critically low levels of salt for treating the Kingdom’s roads because of delivery failures from their suppliers.

Thanks to all our visitors and content contributors for your support this year. Elaine & Jill will be taking a short break from 24 Dec 09 until 4 Jan 10. Any content you submit during this period will be published, but perhaps not as quickly as it usually is! Have a blast over the holidays. See you again in 2010.

The Advisory for Heavy Snow on Monday now covers all parts of Scotland.

Met Office Advisory on Weather

Comprehensive list of christmas and watchnight services in churches of all denominations across the Howe

A new guide,‘Kingdom of Fife & St Andrews Where to Stay 2010’ has been launched to market the region’s accommodation providers.

The centre will close for the Christmas period on Mon 21 Dec at 2.30pm and will re-open on Tue 5 Jan.

People in north east Fife are being urged to get into the community spirit as the countdown begins to Fife's Year of Culture.

Churchgoers in the Howe of Fife could have a new, purpose-built place of worship if radical new plans are given the go-ahead.

The Big Tent has been awarded the Greener Festival Award 2009.

With its coastal setting and rich heritage the East Neuk is, unsurprisingly, a popular destination for visitors—so much so that a staggering 10% of local properties are said to be holiday homes.

Catch up on the summer that was, and how to ensure you get your venison in time for Xmas, in the Fletchers latest newsletter.

Birnie & Gaddon Loch News Dec09

Stagecoach in Fife would like to advise passengers of changes to services commencing on Monday 7 December.

Today is Scotland's official national day, St Andrew's day! Here's a guide to what's on.

Fife Council Transportation Services is delighted to receive the prestigious Cycling Innovation Award from The Scottish Government's Cycling Scotland.

Thanks to those who attended the Smart Community Fife AGM on 12 Nov 09 at Giffordtown Village Hall.

A decision on the possible reopening of Hill of Tarvit Mansion House is likely to be taken next month.

Less than two weeks to go now to the Luva Anna show on 28th November with the Bum-Clocks.

The family and friends of a 'lovely lady' killed in Auchtermuchty last year are waiting to hear the fate of the two men involved in what a senior police officer has described as 'not a road accident, but a brutal criminal act'.

The RSPB'S Vane Farm nature reserve by Kinross plays host to a beginners' digital photography course on Saturday.

People living in the Newburgh and Taybridge-head areas will soon be able to explore parts of north east Fife they might never have seen before.

Organisers of Auchtermuchty's first ever comedy festival are promising even more laughs when part two of the event takes place later this month.

The Community Centre wants to know what you, the users of the centre want. Any activities you'd like to see taking place, any groups you'd be interested in attending or even any fundraising ideas you may have, we want to hear them all!

Last Saturday night's fundraising night at the Auchtermuchty Bowling Club was a great success.

Auchtermuchty Church Hall is to host a Christmas Fair in aid of cancer charities next weekend.

People using car parks on public holidays in Fife will have to pay for the privilege from December 1, it has been confirmed.

The popular Black Cat Jook Band is appearing at Steeple Arts on Friday, November 6, as the headline act of an evening of country blues, ragtime and skiffle.

Included in this weeks packed bulletin: The Age of Stupid Film Screening dates announced Green Library Opening Date Survey Update Food Group Latest Events Group News Energy Advisor Opportunities Heart and Soul Group News MTP Apple Day Letham Nights Transition Cupar The Wave, Scotland Other Climate Change news...

With golf back on the Olympic Games agenda, albeit not until 2016, it has been suggested that the flame kindled in Olympia should burn in the sport's home, St Andrews, in the run-up to the 2012 games in London.

Spooky new residents at Fife Animal Park are to be unmasked on the scariest day of the year. Hallowe’en will see the opening of a bat cave at the centre near Collessie—populated by a colony of 30 Egyptian bats.

One of Scotland’s best known artists was so impressed with Cupar Arts Festival he reckons the event could help Fife rival the Edinburgh Festival.

The Big Tent festival is being awarded the 'Greener Festival Award 2009'.

The curtain will come down on Cupar Arts Festival this weekend after two weeks showcasing the best in contemporary art, music, film and more.

Auchtermuchty Community Centre is running a "Being Active in Your Community" course beginning Wed 4th November, 6:30-8:30pm

Howe of Fife and Tay Coast councillor, Donald Lothian, has again pressed the case for the creation of a new path between Auchtermuchty and Gateside.

After months of hard graft and meticulous planning, the Cupar Arts Festival finally gets under way this weekend.

At 9.00 am on Friday 2nd October, all four Arts and Theatres Trust venues will open their doors for a massive twelve hour Box Office spectacular where you can buy tickets to a variety of shows and films for only £5!

The organisers of the St Andrews Festival have announced an exciting line up of events and concerts in their 2009 programme, culminating in an action packed finale on St Andrews Day.

Judged on criteria based on national best practise, Dunshalt & Freuchie have both been awarded with Silver certificates in the Beautiful Fife 2009 campaign. Seven category awards and a number of discretionary awards were also presented.

A Rendez-vous Ride suggested by the CTC Fife & Kinross, the active section of the cyclists touring club.

Auchtemuchty Community Centre is a great resource for the Howe of Fife, but when's the last time you used it?

As of today, Wednesday 16 September, Taste Cafe & Takeaway (situated in Auchtermuchty Community Centre) will deliver take away food.

Blacketyside Plant Centre News Autumn 09

Auchtermuchty man Neal Robertson, proprietor of the Tannochbrae Tearoom has been accepted as an official competitor in the World Porridge Making Championship.

East Fife throws its doors open to the public on Sunday, September 6, heralding the start of Doors Open Days in Fife.

Yoga classes with Pete West on Tuesday evenings, have resumed. Come along to the Victory Hall at 8pm for an evening of gentle exercise for both mind and body.

Fife's walkers and cyclists are sharing some of their favourite routes and pathways, thanks to this community web portal! Previously unpublished walks and cycle tracks can now be uploaded onto the portal using the latest technology.

The fight against a proposed waste-to-energy plant branded 'a toxic time-bomb' by campaigners has moved up a gear.

The Eden Estuary, Scotland's third oldest nature reserve, is hosting its third annual open day on Sunday 30 August.

The North Howe Transition Toun Local Food Group have organised a Local Food Festival in Letham Park on Saturday 19 September from 12.30 to 5.30pm.

Doubts have been raised over a rail link ever being re-established for Leven.

A revised bus timetable has recently been issued.

The craft fair on Saturday 8 August raised a total of £245.08 which will be split between Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

There will be a conservation volunteer day on Auchtermuchty Common tomorrow (Saturday) between 11am and 2pm.

People living in the Howe of Fife are to be given the chance to learn new skills, thanks to a range of courses being launched later this month.

The second annual Kirkcaldy Comedy Festival was launched yesterday in Kirkcaldy by one of the headline acts appearing in this year's event, Adam Hills.

A recent qualification delivered by a partnership between Elmwood College and Auchtermuchty Primary School has been hailed as a great success.

The Rotary Club of the Howe of Fife last week welcomed, as their speaker, Jean Ballentine of the Fife Branch of the Parkinson's Disease Society.

Pupils from Auchtermuchty have been busy of late since they decided to raise money for the Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) at Rachel House, Kinross.

The new paths between Maspie Den and Craigmead wind through a wealth of overgrown rose bay willow herb and countless other shrubs.

Volunteers are needed to take part in an action day on Auchtermuchty Common.

Muchty is set to have its first comedy festival in honour of a classic Fox Hat' beer commercial, which first aired in January 1999 and starred comedian Rich Hall.

Plans have been revealed for a music festival in the grounds of Kinross House.

Could you or someone you know impress Britain's most famous restaurant critic with your cooking? Infamous critic Michael Winner is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to talented amateur cooks.

The charity behind the project to create a heritage trail round Loch Leven is rallying last-minute public support in its bid to win lottery cash.

The Loch Leven Heritage Trail, a pathway recently opened in Kinross-shire that gives access to a recognised nature reserve which was previously closed to the public, has battled its way through to the final stage of the National Lottery Awards 2009.

T in the Park may be over for another year, but the music plays on in North East Fife with more "Letham Nights".

The grounds of Myres Castle near Auchtermuchty, are to open to the public next month so that people can see a trio of new arrivals that have been making an impression in every sense of the word!

Ladybank Woods provide the backdrop for a new children's adventure from Fife author C. Richard Toye.

Organisers are looking for accommodation for visitors to the festival, please get in touch if you are able to let out your room/accommodation.

A record 10,000 visitors flocked to Falkland to take part in the country's biggest eco music festival, the Big Tent, at the weekend.

Come along for a delightful evening of music at Monimail Church, Letham on 20 August.

The Smart Community Fife team had a great time at the festival and enjoyed meeting with the many local people who came to chat to us in the Climate Champions Zone and the the Adam Smith MOLI bus.

Come along to the Scottish Deer Centre on 8th and 9th August for a family fun day.

The committee would like to thank everyone who helped out at the recent open garden afternoon

There are still some tickets for the senior citizens bus trip available.

Loch Leven national nature reserve is holding another of its popular osprey walks on Thursday 6 August.

Fife Council representatives will be judging Dunshalt's entry into the Beautiful Fife (Best Kept Small Village) competition on Wed 29 July, from 08.30am.

You may have heard a lot about the Falkland Big Book from those who took part in the Falkland Steward’s project (funded by Awards for all and facilitated by Jan Hendry and Alan of FifeOchre Design).

Falkland played host to the annual visit to the village of the Dunedin and New Scotland Dancers on Sunday 19 July.

Every year the Festival runs some great family entertainment, but it couldn't happen without the involvement of our community. There are lots of events to take part in and the big ones are looking for contestants.

A group of writers are to hold the Fife launch of their new book in Freuchie's Lomond Hills Hotel next week.

North East Fife MSP Iain Smith, recently joined Butterfly conservation volunteers on a survey visit to Auchtermuchty Common.

Pupils at Auchtermuchty Primary have launched a new school bank in partnership with the Royal Bank of Scotland.

One of Shakespeare's most magical works - A Midsummer Night's Dream - will be brought to life for visitors to Falkland Palace on Friday 24 July.

RSPB Vane Farm is offering a series of events to entertain and educate youngsters during the summer holidays.

The annual art exhibition will be on in September and contributions for the exhibition are requested from the wider community. Anyone is welcome to show their art work at this exhibition.

As summer takes us full on into the warm and sunny endless days, not even a sudden shower can alter the glow of having a real summer at last, here in Collessie.

With a record entry set for this year's Tour of Fife we shall need a number of volunteers.

The Big Tent Festival camp site is now almost full. This is a pre-booked camp site only - if you are planning to camp you need to book now. Phone Rothes Halls (01592) 61 11 01 now if you want to come. Please have your card details ready when you call.

Councillor Peter Grant, The Leader of Fife Council's Administration, and Councillor Brian Goodall, the Strategic Chair of the Housing & Communities Committee met recently with two of Fife's Cultural Coordinators to mark the publication of a new ‘story' written for people of Fife, of all ages.

Have you got your ticket for the ceilidh on the first night of the Big Tent Festival?

Wellies will once again be an essential item, but the prospect of a mudbath is unlikely to dampen the spirits of revellers at T in the Park this weekend.

As part of Scotland's Homecoming celebrations, there will be a charity concert and fete in Haugh Park in Cupar.

The monthly quiz took place in the Cycle Tavern on Monday with Ian Santry posing some interesting questions including a completely blank picture section.

The festival office will be open on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting from tomorrow (3 July).

Auchtermuchty Primary School pupils have been spending their summer term raising money for Rachel House children's hospice in Kinross.

The stable gallery in Auchermuchty will be opened this weekend (4 and 5 July).

Some 'otterly' charming new residents have arrived at the Scottish Deer Centre.

Fife Council have annouced significant changes to some of the bus services affecting many Howe villages.

Sustrans and Big Tent 2009 are giving twenty fantastic Sustrans t-shirts away to the festival goers who have travelled the furthest sustainably to the Big Tent 2009!

The Poetry Tent this year is hosted again by Lapidus Scotland, a creative community of writers who use the literary arts for healing.

Dunshalt in Bloom held a very successful coffee morning and plant sale on Saturday 13 June raising almost £140.

FIFE HAS bucked the trend with an increase in the numbers of visitors to local attractions, according to the latest figures issued by VisitScotland.

The weather was kind to the few brave souls who ventured into the Low Road park on Sunday 7 June.

So impressed and captivated were they with the atmosphere in Letham Hall for the 5th Letham Nights, that the Black Oil Brothers, the delta blues band from Chicago, have decided that they need to come back!

Auchtermuchty Theatre Group is hoping to run drama workshops again this year.

This Sunday, 7 June from 2pm the Auchtermuchty Scout Group will be holding an afternoon fair with stalls and refreshments in aid of several cancer charities.

Winner is of the Birnie Loch Photography Competition is announced.

Strathmiglo United win Regional Trophy for the first time in 23 seasons.

Rosyth Civil Service 3 - 2 Strathmiglo United

Strathmiglo United 1 - 3 Leven United

Workshops offering guitar, fiddle, tin whistle, mouth organ, accordion and keyboard in Auchtermuchty Town Hall on 14 and 28 June.

July sees the launch of the vibrant new Language & Culture Hub in Fife

Rooms now available at The Bruce

Come and join us for a great weekend of traditional music and song in Auchtermuchty from 14 to 16 August.

Aucthermuchty play Park upgrade complete

The Big Tent, Scotland's Largest Eco Festival is putting a call out to volunteers to help on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of July.

Summer is just around the corner bringing swallows, martins and midges with it!..

Mix with Royalty - Falkland Palace

This play is the pinical of Ena Lamont Stewart's career. The story of a family from the slums of Glasgow, each member with their story to tell. The unemployed father, the son with TB, the drunk, lazy eldest son, the daughter with loose morals, the self-rightous sister which is all held together by the strength of the mother's character.

Hot on the heels of their recent Observer Food Monthly 'Ethical Contribution' award, Mike and Karen Small of the Fife Diet have today been hailed by the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland as the country's leading green champions.

Nee Naw! Ambulances Letham Triumph

The Bruce opened on Easter Monday and welcomes locals and visitors alike.

Introducing the St Andrews Skills Academy (SASA) - a one-stop shop for tourism and hospitality training in Fife.

New Cycling Charter Launched for Fife

Easter Sunday Services - Howe of Fife Churches

Neal Robertson of The Spon Company (and Auchtermuchty's Tannochbrae Tearoom) has been going great guns shipping his unique derivation of the spoon all over the world, including the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Download the latest Scout Group newsletter

Funds Raised for Maggie's Centre

Aucthermuchty Community Centre

Howe of Fife Church Survey

MSP welcomes return of morning train service

After the sell-out success of January 2008's Essential Scottish Opera visit to Strath, the Public Hall is thrilled to report their firm intention of returning in February 2010.

St Patricks Day

Falkland Music Festival Line-up unveiled

'Switch Off' campaign

Meningitis Foundation - Aucthermuchty

Falkland Palace has Vacancies

Come Home to Fife

Creating a carbon culture in Fife

'One Food Planet' is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a more sustainable food culture.

Pupils plant trees

Auchtermuchty Parish Church: March 09 Newsletter

Latest newsletter to download

Those of you who made it to Letham Nights 2 on 21st February, will I'm sure agree, that it was a STONKING NIGHT!

Due to the continuing success of the karate students in s.k.a.s. and with the Scottish karate governing body starting squad training for under 14s at Ratho (Edinburgh), Mrs Holmes has agreed to start a primary school Karate After School Club at Auchtermuchty Primary.

Big tent blog update

Progress in reducing speed - Gateside

Stratheden Curling Club looking for members

The action day on Feb 14th to repair and clear the footpath which follows the burn from the Newburgh Raod entrance to the Common had to be postponed due to difficult conditions, but will be happening sometime in the near future.

Word continues to spread about Letham Nights: the Howe's newest community venue for music. Following the booking of Chicago band, the Black Oil Brothers in May, two more excellent acts have been added to the list of performers coming to Letham.

Speeding

Sponsors Wanted!

New Beautiful Fife campaign launched

The Church of Scotland has a scheme that allows ministers to take 2 weeks per year Study Leave. Mr Redpath is taking Study leave during the last two weeks of February to increase his knowledge of Church law. This will help him in his position as Presbytery Clerk. Pastoral duties will be covered by the Rev Neil McLay, Minister of Creich, Flisk and Kilmany linked with Monimail who can be contacted by telephone on 01337 870332. Mrs Kay McCall will also be available if needed.

invitation

Auchtermuchty Theatre Group is looking for budding thespians to perform in its forthcoming production of 'Men Should Weep'

Raptors aplenty. Download Feb 09 newsletter.

Two members of the Smart Community Fife web team shared their cyber-expertise with hamleteers in Giffordtown Hall last Wednesday.

There is a High Risk of a Severe Weather event affecting parts of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and eastern Scotland during Tuesday.

Big Tent 2009 tickets are now on sale with a 10% discount for early birders.

Organisers of this year's Big Tent Festival are predicting this year's event will be the biggest and best yet. Tickets on sale now.

The second Fife Jazz Festival is bigger, brighter and better than last year - there are more concerts in more places (incl the Howe), with more musicians from different countries taking part.

If you'd like to request funding, please put your request in writing stating who and what the funds are for.

We have almost certainly succeeded in securing a booking for Letham Nights from Chicago (!!!) - delta blues band the Black Oil Brothers.

Hot on the heels of the massively successful inaugural Letham Nights on 12th December 2008, we bring you the low-down on Letham Nights #2.

FIFE is planning a huge catalogue of events to mark Homecoming Scotland 2009.

Jan 09 newsletter

review of ATG pantomime, Dick Whittington, Dec 08.

Around 100 people packed the hall to listen and dance to the music of a varied line-up of performers.

The shop was named one of the UK's top 25 convenience stores in the Robert Wiseman Diaries 'neighbourhood Shop of the Year' awards

Update from the Fife Diet - an experiment with local food

The two performances will take place at the Auchtermuchty Church Hall on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th December with a start time of 6.30pm.

Tickets for the finale performance of Dick Whittington have been sold out for weeks. However, there are two available on EBAY!

Auchtermuchty couple Brian & Liz Slattery are celebrating after their vintage wedding car business Baincraig Cars, was nominated in the Scottish Wedding Industry VOWS (Voted Outstanding Wedding Supplier) award scheme.

In preparation we are inviting any interested locals to join us in 'bringing in the green' to make decorations for the hall on Sunday 7th December at 1pm meeting at 'The Tree' in the centre of Letham at 1pm. Bring your secateurs!

On November the 29th from 11am to 5pm Monimail Tower Project is hosting an event to launch a leaflet which will improve access to the historical landscape of the Project.

Transition tavern bus run info

New winter train timetable - Ladybank from 14 dec

As Scots prepare to celebrate their national day, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani has announced free entry to Historic Scotland visitor attractions across Scotland on the last weekend of November.

‘Letham Nights' aims to bring high quality music to Letham and provide a stage for local talent.

North East Fife MSP Iain Smith has slammed the response of Transport Scotland and Scotrail to concerns about cuts in morning train services to Edinburgh as "either complacent or contempt for North East Fife Commuters."

Should drinking alcohol in public be banned in Auchtermuchty? It is already illegal to drink in public in many towns and villages in Fife and it has been suggested that such a ban should be introduced to Muchty. Exceptions can be made for events such as the Christmas Fair, the Festival and Hogmanay but it would stop thoughtless individuals causing annoyance at other times. You can register your opinion online at www.auchtermuchty.co.uk or leave a message on 0845 8693836.

Auchtermuchty Theatre Group will be performing 'Dick Whittington' by Bob Heather from Monday 1 to Saturday 6 December from 7:30pm in the Victoria Hall.

Local chef Christopher Trotter gives us advice on Fife food (what's good and where to buy it) in his November 08 newsletter - the 2nd in a series of Fife food articles written by Christopher especially for this portal.

There was much excitement amongst the bird-watching fraternity in October when a hooded merganser was seen at Birnie. Last month's peregrine and a sea-eagle were spotted too.

Fife public firework displays

Download the latest APC happenings

The Auchtermuchty Community Centre has re-scheduled its trip to Almondvale Shopping Centre in Livingston. It will now go ahead on Monday Nov 11.

Smart Community Fife seeks person with great computer skills for new part time role

Calling all wanna-be Jessica Fletcher's and Sherlock Holmes' - your service is requested and required at the Victoria Hall, Auchtermuchty on Sunday 2nd November at 4pm.

Fife foodies will soon have the opportunity to join a new organisation Slow Food Fife - a growing network of Fifers who support the Slow Food movement.

As a result of the successful grazing regime last winter which resulted in a huge increase of spring and summer flowers, the Trust are happy to announce the arrival of 23 Shetland sheep on Auchtermuchty Common.

Local chef Christopher Trotter gives us advice on seasonal produce in his October 08 newsletter - the first in a series of food articles by Christopher, commissioned especially for this portal.

Neal Roberston invents the Spon. Order yours on-line.

If you would like to help the Festival and write a quiz, please contact Steven Robertson

Cupar Arts Festival opens today (Friday) with a flag raising at Haugh Park at 6.30 p.m. and continues until October 26 with an array of art, music, theatre and workshop events for all ages.

The Centre for Stewardship (organisers of the Big Tent Festival) announce their Annual Stewardship Lecture which this year is by Satish Kumar on the subject of ‘Reconnecting with Food'.

October newsletter

Download for more on tis month's bird sightings

Iain Smith, local Liberal Democrat MSP for North East Fife and Convener of the Scottish Parliament's Economy Committee, has written to the senior managers for Lloyds TSB and Halifax Bank of Scotland branches in the area seeking assurances about the future of local branches in his constituency.

For the whole of October, Historic Scotland is repeating its amazingly popular Kids Go Free offer.

Results of the Fife wide competition

Members of the trades unions UNISON, Unite and GMB staged a 24-hour strike in support of their pay claim, following on from a similar protest on August 20.

Inspection invited! On Sunday 28th September, between 2pm and 4pm, the Church Hall will be open for visitors.

Fife has been officially named the most beautiful council area in Scotland following the success of Cupar, St Andrews and Glenrothes at this week's Beautiful Scotland awards.

Fife Council has today (Thursday) wholeheartedly welcomed the announcement that Norfolkline will be taking over the Rosyth to Zebrugge ferry route

Thanks to all involved

An evening of traditional music and song is to be held in Auchtermuchty on Saturday, September 20, in memory of Citty Finlayson, one of the town's best-known residents.

Margaret Sutherland, proprietor of Dunshelt Post Office and store, has been making four batches of tablet a week for the past three years in a bid to raise £5000 to buy a hearing dog for the deaf.

Known as the 'festival for musicians and music lovers', this year's Collessie Music Festival gets underway at Fife Animal Park tomorrow (Saturday).

Although three-years worth of 'seedcorn' funding to get the event up and running has now ended, organisers have confirmed they can raise enough revenue through other funding sources to ensure the weekend-long event in the grounds of Falkland Palace remains a firm fixture on the Scottish festival scene.

Council update on industrial action disruptions Wed 20 Aug

Fifers are being invited to gve their views on proposed core path routes over the next 12 weeks as part of the draft core path plan public consultation process.

Reserve your seat on the bus for the Scotland vs N Ireland international friendly.

Auchtermuchty Festival is looking for volunteers on the weekend of 8th - 10th August to help steward at events and at the camp-sites in Station Road and Low Road parks. If you would like to help please contact Eric Titterington on 860482

It's only 6 weeks until the Auchtermuchty & Dunshalt Annual Show, so if you haven't got your schedule yet, please contact June Forbes or jump online to download it now.

The third Big Tent festival of stewardship, Scotland’s largest eco-gathering, came to an end last night at Falkland after two days of activity.

Grassroots Zimbabwe will be bringing its Zimbabwean experiences to share with the audience and participants this weekend at the Big Tent Festival in Falkland.

This year's festival runs from the 1st to 10th August and, as always it's jam packed with community and traditional music events.

The reading for Dick Whittington will be in the Upper Town Hall on Wednesday 13th August 7pm

An online car-sharing scheme in Fife has reached a significant milestone by signing up its 1,000th member.

Come along to our introductory night to Slow Food in Fife on Tuesday 5th of August at 7pm at the Fisher and Donaldson's bakery and restaurant at 1 Ceres Road, Cupar, KT15 5JT. Reserve your place asap.

TIME IS running out for individuals or groups hoping to have their events featured in the next edition of the Events In Fife publication.

Auchtermuchty festival news and contacts

In the run up to the Festival, the festival shop is now open in Auchtermuchty Town Hall from 10.00am to 12 noon on Saturday mornings and 5.00pm to 7.00pm Wednesday evenings, selling tickets for all events and festival T-shirts, sweatshirts, polo shirts etc..

There will be no train services between Inverkeithing and Edinburgh on Saturday 5 July or Sunday 6 July 2008, due to the closure of rail lines between Edinburgh and Fife for essential Tram engineering work.

On 5&6 July trains from the north and Fife will terminate at Dalgety Bay Station with Rail Replacement Bus Services providing connections to Inverkeithing, North Queensferry, Dalmeny, Haymarket and Edinburgh.

THE BEST TWITS IN MUCHTY

I am selling my business and would like to advertise this to the residents of Auchtermuchty (or anyone interested).

If you're a keen photographer, why not enter the Rural Gateway website's photo competition? Following the success of their 2007 competition, this year's is bigger and better.

Muchty PS open again

Auchtermuchty School closed due to water problems

On Sunday, the Scottish Wildlife Trust enjoyed a walk around the common

Big Tent seeks old curtains and sofas!

Fife Show success

Auchtermuchty Youth Theatre Group perform the Twits on 13 and 14 June

Thousands of people are expected to arrive at Fife's biggest agricultural show, organisers have said.

Have Your Say on Howe Bus Services - Auchtermuchty & surrounds

Today Fife's First Outdoor Access Festival was given a boost with the announcement of funding from the Fife Events Strategy Group and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Concert marks Sir Jimmy Shand centenary

A Fife MSP has said it would cost £20m to put trains back on the railway line between Leven and Thornton.

FifeSINg gets great performers

North Fife artists open their studios

Eco campsite at Big Tent

A NUMBER of towns and villages in north east Fife face losing their public telephone boxes as part of a cull by BT.

Bus routes from Edin to Fife to become carbon neutral in next 5 years

Venison writer wins top award

Relaunch of VisitScotland.com tourism website

Funding for Fife Food Tourism Network announced

New Forth bridge ‘ready by 2016’

New web portal launches officially today in Freuchie

Iain Smith, North East Fife MSP gets guided tour of SCF web portal

Auchtermuchty woman to fundraise for MS Society in Iceland

Real food festival selection for Fletchers

St Patrick's Day celebrations

Headline acts of King Creosote and the Fence Collective and the Peatbog Faeries have just been announced

Wind farm development thrown out

Grants for craft workers

Healthyliving award

Road closure

Get the latest from the Fife Ranger Service on visitors to the Lochs in January 08.

FALKLAND woman Fiona Lawrenson is at the forefront of reminding older and disabled people in Fife not to miss the bus on a free Scotland-wide travel scheme.

A Scottish Government reporter has now begun to consider whether the proposed Auchtermuchty windfarm would be "landscape on loan" or a "visual disaster".

Pedestrian dies in collision - police call for witnesses

An expert public wintenss told the public inquiry this week it was 'not ideal, but considered acceptable' that a few properties would be more affected by wind turbine noise at Auchtermuchty.

Fife Council is currently carrying out a study to identify areas of landscape which should be recognised, celebrated and protected by a local landscape designation.

JANUARY arrived with a vengeance this week as winds of up to 80mph battered north east Fife, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

Proposed core paths for Strathmiglo, Ladybank, Gateside, Falkland, Auchtermuchty and the Lomond Hills have been drawn up after two years of consultation. Fife Council invites your comment re major omissions or errors prior to the formal statutory consultation stage which will probably take place from the beginning of April 2008. See web link below for more.